Kisan Sabha Movement was a peasant movement which happened in the Awadh region of the erstwhile United Provinces (U.P). The main cause of this movement was the miserable conditions of the U.P peasants because of the policies of the British Government and the Awadh Taluqdars. There was a progressive rise in the land revenue of the whole of India, after the political transfer of India from the East India Company to the British Crown. In this article, we will discuss the Kisan Sabha Movement (1857), which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.

Kisan Sabha Movement - Background

• The Awadh taluqdars reclaimed their lands following the 1857 revolt. This strengthened the taluqdars' or big landlords' grip on the province's agrarian society.
• The vast majority of cultivators faced high rents, summary evictions (bedakhali), illegal levies, renewal fees, or nazrana.
• Food and other necessities had become more expensive as a result of the First World War. This exacerbated the plight of the UP peasants.
• The districts of Rai Bareilly, Faizabad, and Sultanpur were the main hubs of activity.
• The movement faded quickly, owing in part to government repression and in part to the passage of the Awadh Rent (Amendment) Act.

Kisan Sabha Movement - Causes

• Following the annexation of Avadh in 1856, the taluqdars, or big landlords, strengthened their grip on the province's agrarian society in the second half of the nineteenth century.
• Exorbitant rents, illegal levies, renewal fees or nazrana, and arbitrary evictions or bedakhli had resulted, making life miserable for the majority of cultivators.
• The high cost of food and other necessities that accompanied and followed World War I exacerbated the oppression, and the tenants of Avadh were primed for a message of resistance.

Kisan Sabha Movement - Outcome

• Kisan Sabhas were organised in UP primarily as a result of the efforts of Home Rule activists. Gauri Shankar Mishra and Indra Narayan Dwivedi founded the United Provinces Kisan Sabha in February 1918.
• Madan Mohan Malaviya backed them up in their endeavours. The UP Kisan Sabha had 450 branches by June 1919.
• Jhinguri Singh, Durgapal Singh, and Baba Ramchandra were among the other prominent leaders. Baba Ramchandra urged Nehru to visit these villages in June 1920. During these visits, Nehru made close friends with the villagers.
• Because of disagreements among nationalists, the Awadh Kisan Sabha was formed in October 1920.
• The Awadh Kisan Sabha urged kisans to refuse till bedakhali land, to refrain from offering hari and begar (forms of unpaid labour), to boycott those who refused to accept these conditions, and to settle their disputes through panchayats.
• In January 1921, the patterns of activity shifted rapidly from earlier forms of mass meetings and mobilisation to looting of bazaars, houses, and granaries, as well as clashes with police.

Conclusion

Farmers have often agitated for their demands even during colonial rule.The presence of kisans from both the upper and lower castes was a distinguishing feature of the Kisan Sabha movement. The Kisan Sabha Movement died out quickly, owing to government repression. The passage of the Awadh Rent (Amendment) Act also suppressed the movement.

FAQs

MCQs

1. The Kisan Sabha Movement was primarily aimed at addressing:

A) Urban employment
B) Industrial growth
C) Tenant rights and high rents
D) Educational reforms

2. Who among the following was associated with the Kisan Sabha Movement?

A) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
B) Jawaharlal Nehru
C) Raja Rammohan Roy
D) Rabindranath Tagore

3. The Kisan Sabha Movement was prominent in which region of India?

A) Punjab
B) Bengal
C) Awadh (Uttar Pradesh)
D) Maharashtra

4. Which factor exacerbated peasant unrest during the Kisan Sabha Movement?

A) British support
B) Lack of irrigation
C) Post-World War I economic conditions
D) Agricultural mechanization

5. Which of the following was a major demand of the Kisan Sabha Movement?

A) Reduction of military expenses
B) Tenant rights and rent reduction
C) Industrial workers’ rights
D) Women’s voting rights

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Analyze the causes and significance of the Kisan Sabha Movement in the context of India’s freedom struggle.

Answer: The Kisan Sabha Movement was sparked by oppressive rent demands and post-war economic challenges that burdened Indian farmers. Leaders like Baba Ramchandra unified peasants in Awadh against exploitative landlords. The movement’s significance lies in its contribution to social mobilization, uniting peasants to demand tenant rights and fair rents. This movement underscored the need for agrarian reform and highlighted the oppressive colonial policies, aligning with the freedom struggle's broader call for justice and independence.

Q2: Discuss the role of the Kisan Sabha Movement in shaping India’s agrarian policies post-independence.

Answer: The Kisan Sabha Movement brought rural grievances to the forefront, highlighting the need for tenancy reforms and reduced rent burdens. Its advocacy for tenant rights and resistance to landlord oppression influenced post-independence land reforms, such as the abolition of the zamindari system. By mobilizing peasants, the movement fostered rural awareness and set a precedent for subsequent agrarian policies focused on equity, paving the way for rural empowerment and legal protections for farmers.

Q3: Evaluate the impact of leadership in the Kisan Sabha Movement. How did leaders like Baba Ramchandra shape the movement’s objectives?

Answer: Leadership was pivotal in the Kisan Sabha Movement, as leaders like Baba Ramchandra organized and unified peasant grievances. Ramchandra's grassroots approach emphasized community mobilization, focusing on tenant rights, fair rent, and social justice. His leadership brought structure and momentum to the movement, influencing both local and national figures, including Jawaharlal Nehru. This strong leadership effectively articulated peasant demands, strengthening the movement’s objectives and contributing to its impact on subsequent agrarian reforms.

Previous Year Questions on Kisan Sabha Movement

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2021:

Question: The Kisan Sabha Movement primarily aimed at:

A) Reforming the education system
B) Securing rights for industrial workers
C) Addressing agrarian distress and tenant rights
D) Strengthening British-Indian relations

Answer: (C)

Explanation: The movement was focused on securing tenant rights, fair rents, and resistance to oppressive practices by landlords.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2019 (GS Paper 1):

Question: "Discuss the relevance of the Kisan Sabha Movement in the context of agrarian distress and tenant rights in colonial India."

Answer: The Kisan Sabha Movement highlighted rural oppression, tenant grievances, and high rents, mobilizing peasants across Awadh. It demanded tenant rights and fair rent, challenging colonial agrarian policies. The movement underscored the need for tenancy reform, influencing India’s post-independence agrarian policies aimed at reducing land-based exploitation.